Man Utd’s ‘answer to Lionel Messi’, 17, signs five-year deal as fans gush ‘will be a household name within a few years
MANCHESTER UNITED wonderkid Shea Lacey has signed his first professional contract at the Red Devils.
Dubbed by fans as the club’s next Lionel Messi, the 17-year-old winger is one of the most exciting talents in the Carrington academy.
After signing a scholarship deal at the club Lacey agreed to sign a professional contract when he turned 17 which was on April 14.
And on Monday April 15 the youngster’s new five-year deal was announced to recognise his progression through the club’s academy.
After signing his new deal he had a message for his followers on Instagram, writing: “Proud moment for me and my family signing my first professional contract at this club.”
And fans are over the moon to hear the news of the youngster who has drawn comparisons to Phil Foden.
One supporter said: “Will be a household name within a few years.”
Another added: ” A star is born.”
A third then put: “Special special talent.”
Lacey had returned to action at the weekend as a substitute in the U18s 4-2 win over Stoke City playing the final half an hour having been out of action with an injury since November.
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Lacey had made his U18s debut back in 2022 at just 15.
And last season he scored a sensational solo goal which caught the attention of fans referring to him as “Man Utd’s answer to Lionel Messi”.
There had been major interest from United’s rivals in England and Europe to sign Lacey before he penned the deal with the Red Devils in August 2023.
The Merseyside-born teen comes from a family of Liverpool fans but the youngster is a United supporter and is a massive Messi fan.
This season Lacey played three times in the U19’s UEFA Youth League competition before he got injured in the autumn.
He came on for the last 30 minutes against Galatasaray with the game at 0-0 and helped them to a 3-0 win, assisting one for Omari Forson and nearly scoring with a free-kick himself.
Lacey will become the latest academy star to sign his first professional contract after defender Harry Amass.
Amass, 17, Bendito Mantato, 16, and Amir Ibragimov, 15, have all had a chance to train in the senior team and now Lacey will follow.